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Former Ivorian youth minister Ble Goude trial to begin at the ICC

Former Ivorian youth minister Ble Goude trial to begin at the ICC

Ivory Coast

Charles Ble Goude will go on trial at the ICC court in Hague on Thursday to face charges of crimes against humanity.

This week at the Court: #ICC #Gbabgo & #BléGoudé trial opens Thursday 28/01 at 09:30 pic.twitter.com/HZGnhckJPD

— Int'l Criminal Court (@IntlCrimCourt) January 26, 2016

The trial of the former Ivory coast youth minister will commence with the reading of charges and he will be asked how he will plead.

Goude who headed the Young Patriots street militia is being tried for his alleged role in violence after the disputed 2010 general election.

The 41 year old was arrested in Ghana in January 2013 and extradited to the Ivory Coast. He was then sent to the Netherlands in March 2014 to face prosecution at the world’s permanent war crimes court.

Four charges were confirmed against him that year which included murder, rape, inhumane acts and theft of public funds. He has however denied the accusations.

According to his lawyers, Goude will plead not guilty and he is determined to tell the truth about all the charges leveled against him.

“Quite simply the facts show that Charles Ble Goude is not a criminal as they would have us believe,” said his lawyer Claver N’Dry.

Popularly known as “Street General”, and still commanding a large youth following back at home, Goude had earlier requested to be tried by an Ivorian court and not sent to the Hague.

The ICC has been criticized by some African governments which say it unfairly targets the continent.

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